dinib Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Wow! I know the facts. I understand that these sweet, cute and good tempered little furballs are bred to be hunters. I truly didn't get it until last night. I was out with Buckley and Gracie for there evening business. It was a pleasant summer evening in NJ. We were getting ready to go in, but saw 3 squirrels playing chase in the trees. Buckley was watching and I was amused, so decided to relax for a few more minutes. I was watching these squirrels spiral the tree trunks and leap from limb to limb. All of a sudden on of the squirrels fell out of the top of the tree (~ 3 stories tall) right in front of Buckley. What horrific sound of the squirrel hitting the ground. I think all animals were stunned at first and then all kinds of chaeos broke loose. The chase was on. They made at about 4 or 5 laps around the backyard. I was trying to make sure they didn't hurt the squirrel, but he couldn't seem to find his way out of our privacy fenced backyard. Gracie - Ms Petite Fancy Pants only weighs about 12 lbs - caught the squirrel. Buckley now has ahold of the squirrel. Squirrel was making an awful sound (and so was I as a matter of fact) trying to get the dogs to respond to me (not a chance). I had to run inside and drag my husband out of the shower to help me. By the time I returned, Buckley was on his way back to the door and Gracie was standing over the squirrel keeping watch. I was able to herd her way from the squirrel and put her inside. DH said the squirrel wasn't dead, so he was able to guide the squirrel out of the gate with a broom. However, the squirrel didn't make it very far. DH watched the squirrel take his last breath. DH said there wasn't any puncture wounds, aside from missing some tail fur or any blood. We don't know if it was the fall from the tree, our dogs, sheer terror or a combination of all that did in the squirrel. I was so sad. RIP Mr. Squirrel. Two things I learned that evening: Cairns really are hunters and I saw their prey drive first hand. Reinforces that I can never let them off-leash in this area. Too many small creatures to pique their interests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I Am Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Yup... years of breeding to kill little creatures certainly is how Cairns are hard wired. Jock has mangled a few mice in his life and it still upsets me. I trap the darn things and that doesnt seem to bother me but seeing Jock "play" with them always gets to me Our neighbours had a baby hare trapped in their back yard and their dog a Bichon F got a hold of it and same thing no outward signs of trauma but the poor wee thing died I am sure of internal injuries. I would be a wreck if I went on an African Safari! Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened. - Anatole France Adventures with Sam &Rosie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy A. Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Unless the critter is bigger than them, or i'm worried the dogs might get hurt by the critter.... I just leave them alone once they've got it. Normally it's a quick kill and I'm always worried I might get bit trying to get them to drop the critter. It's a hard thing, our little yaks are hunters... Tracy, Amos, Walter, Brattwrust & Mettwurst a.k.a The Gremlins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnandTuk-tuk Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Tuk only ever caught birds. He shook them hard so I think that was how they met their demise. He really, really wanted to get ahold of a good sized lizard he found in the yard once but I think it weirded him out too much, lol. So he just barked at it alot. I swear that was the funniest site, he would start to go up to the lizard and then jump back like the thing was gonna eat him! It was about 8 inches, so it was big but it wasn't moving or anything. So funny. I never cared for all that bird catching but I also knew it was in his genes. I've read so many stories about bunnies and squirrels on here, I think I would've cried if he had ever caught something furry though. The first bird was really hard! After that I tried to make sure we reduced his access, but he was always so clever and fast. A testament to how smart these guys (and Tuk was super smart) are, he ALWAYS caught birds but didn't touch the parrot that got lost on our back porch. He knew it wasn't wild and only alert barked until I came to see what the fuss was about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nena Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Yep! Nena also can NEVER be trusted off leash. She can dash so fast to chase anything. A squirrel is a treat to her and rabbits, don't get me started. I have to protect them around our yard. When we are walking around the yard she can smell a mole in the ground and she will pull them right out of the ground and kill them. It is a great way to get rid of moles by the way. cairn terriers leave pawprints on our lives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy A. Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Yep! Nena also It is a great way to get rid of moles by the way. Yes and to create holes for planting! Tracy, Amos, Walter, Brattwrust & Mettwurst a.k.a The Gremlins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinib Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 Dawn - Buckley did the bark/charge/jump back/repeat routine with a crab shell he found on the beach. It was comical. I have a video of him doing the same routine with a piece of driftwood he found on another outing at the beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dianer Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 We too had a crime scene in our backyard yesterday. Squirrelicide caused by two cairns was our conclusion although there were no upright witnesses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oliver's Mom Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 We too had a crime scene in our backyard yesterday. Squirrelicide caused by two cairns was our conclusion although there were no upright witnesses. Now you'll never know which of the two did it. Just the way they like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dianer Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Yes but we know who rolled in it. That would be Cassie, our female. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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